Michael Robinson says Australia needs tougher restrictions in order to reduce the impact of COVID-19.
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And Mr Robinson, who previously lived on the NSW Mid-North Coast, is arguably better placed than most to give his opinion.
He's been working as a biology teacher in Changsha, China, for the last two years.
Changsha is one of the closest capital cities to Wuhan where coronavirus is believed to have originated.
Mr Robinson has a warning for anyone thinking the federal government's shutdown has gone too far.
"I hope people there are taking this seriously," he said. "The NSW and Australian government should be locking everything down - including schools - to stop us getting anywhere near like Italy.
"If you clamp down on it now, like they did in China, you can then loosen up restrictions and get life back to somewhat normal sooner.
"It only lasted here about two months.
"If you are too relaxed and let this virus continue to transmit, it will get out of control and a lot of people will die, not just elderly, but people in the 30s and 40s with no health issues," he warned.
Mr Robinson said Changsha was in lockdown for over a month with only supermarkets and chemists trading.
For three weeks he was only allowed out of his housing community twice a day.
"The streets of Changsha, an eight million person city, were deserted," he added.
These restrictions recently have been lifted and shops have started to open again.
"We currently have no cases in our province, Hunan. 30 out of 34 provinces now have a 90% recovery rate. The virus is almost gone in China," he said.
"There is now the risk posed by visitors from other countries. But this can hopefully be curbed by testing and quarantine at arrival.
"Even though the virus has gone from our province, my school is still conducting online lessons.
"We have still not been given a date as to when our school will once again start normal lessons."
The new experience of online lessons has been good, however I would much rather be in the classroom, he added.
Despite an easing of restrictions and life getting back to "normal", Michael says there are still some issues.
I was told, as a foreigner, I could not enter, due to the risk I pose to large crowds from the virus. They are still taking it seriously over here, despite no cases in our province.
- Michael Robinson
"I was told, as a foreigner, I could not enter, due to the risk I pose to large crowds from the virus.
"They are still taking it seriously over here, despite no cases in our province.
"I have also been questioned by police regarding my nationality and if I have travelled recently."
Following the shutdown of non-essential services across Australia as of noon on Monday, Michael urged Australians to take precautions.
"I would advise people in the area to self isolate themselves as much as possible," he said.
"It is predicted cases will be very high in Australia over the next two weeks."
Mr Robinson admitted to being "anxious" as Australians start living under new shutdown guidelines.
"I guess I have more connections in Australia," he said.
A planned trip home in July is likely to be cancelled due to the virus.
Michael is a science teacher with five years experience in London and Sydney.
